A coalition of business, government and civic leaders will be working to craft a plan to reverse decades of decline in Pine Bluff. The struggling city has seen its population dropping in recent years, crime is among the highest in the nation per capita and abandoned downtown buildings have recently been collapsing.
The Go Forward Pine Bluff planning effort is being funded by a donation from Simmons First National Bank, which has its corporate headquarters there.
"What we hope to accomplish is something that within 12 to 24 months can make a substantial difference in Pine Bluff and we're going to tackle some tough issues," said George Makris, chairman and chief executive officer Simmons First National Corporation.
A key goal, he says, is to grow the city’s tax base. The planning will focus on economic development, education, government and quality of life. Members of the task force will spend the next year working on suggestions, which would be implemented in 2017 and 2018.
"If we're willing to make these tough decisions within the city of Pine Bluff, we're very hopeful that we'll start having much more success in attracting businesses," Makris told KUAR.
In a press release, Mary Pringos, who will serve as chair of the task force, said growing the tax base "will ensure that we can better fund city services and put an end to population loss."
Participants will be selected through an application process, with applications to be accepted through Dec. 15. The process will be facilitated by the Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
